The S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) looks set to come under pressure today. Shares across the U.S. plunged overnight following the latest Trump crisis.
Here's a quick recap:
- FTSE 100 (UK): down 0.25%
- DAX (Germany): down 1.35%
- CAC 40 (France): down 1.63%
- Dow Jones (USA): down 1.78%
- NASDAQ (USA): down 2.57%
According to CNBC, Wall Street's plunge came after reports that Donald Trump allegedly tried to interfere with an ongoing investigation by asking former FBI Director James Comey to dismiss the investigation into Michael Flynn, the former national security advisor.
The news could put pressure on some of Australia's blue chip stocks which carry the most weight in the ASX 200 index.
Gold stocks such as Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM), Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM), on the other hand, should benefit from a 1.9% increase in the gold price overnight. That was likely sparked by the uncertainty surrounding the Trump situation.
PUSHPAY FPO NZX (ASX: PPH) has released its results for the year ended 31 March 2017, reporting a 97.9% increase in annualised committed monthly revenue (ACMR) and a 78.9% increase in its total number of customers.
James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) also released its preliminary final report for the year ended 31 March 2017, announcing an 11% increase in net sales and a 13% increase in net profit.
The Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) share price will also be in focus after it released a trading update after the market closed on Wednesday, significantly increasing its full-year earnings guidance.
It may also be worth keeping an eye on a number of businesses that experienced sharp share price movements on Wednesday. Vita Group Limited (ASX: VTG) plummeted more than 30%, while NIB Holdings Limited (ASX: NHF), Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) and OrotonGroup Limited (ASX: ORL) also fell sharply.
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